The Brain Health Mission Podcast Brain Health on the Move
7 snips
Sep 24, 2025 
Join Ole Petter Hjelle, a physician, researcher, and former marathon champion, as he explores the vital link between exercise and brain health. He shares insights from his remarkable journey from athlete to neuroscientist and discusses how movement enhances memory and focus. Ole Petter explains the molecular benefits of exercise, like increased brain growth factors, and tackles the balance between intensity and adherence. He also offers practical tips for integrating activity into daily life, emphasizing enjoyable exercise and social engagement.
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Movement Triggers Molecular Brain Growth
- Exercise triggers increased brain perfusion and a cascade of growth factors like BDNF and VEGF.
- These molecular changes boost synaptogenesis and limited neurogenesis, improving brain function.
Evolution Linked Movement And Cognition
- Evolutionarily, movement and cognitive skills co-developed because survival required running, focus, and memory.
- That history explains why activity feels rewarding and boosts attention and memory.
Biggest Gains Come From Small Starts
- The exercise dose-response is nonlinear: biggest gains occur when inactive people start moving.
- There appears to be no strict lower limit — anything is better than nothing.
